David C Barnett Small Business and Deal Making M&A SMB
David C Barnett
I discuss buying, selling, financing and managing small and medium sized businesses either alone or with guests.
I've started, bought, sold and closed businesses.
Author of three best-selling business books; 'Invest Local: a guide to superior investment returns in your own community,' 'Franchise Warnings: What you really need to know before you buy' and 'How To Sell My Own Business: A guide to selling your own business without paying a broker's commission.' all available as well as 5 other books on Amazon or from www.DavidCBarnett.com
I've started, bought, sold and closed businesses.
Author of three best-selling business books; 'Invest Local: a guide to superior investment returns in your own community,' 'Franchise Warnings: What you really need to know before you buy' and 'How To Sell My Own Business: A guide to selling your own business without paying a broker's commission.' all available as well as 5 other books on Amazon or from www.DavidCBarnett.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 3, 2025 • 30min
Delivery Apps: Growth or Financial Trap for Restaurants?
#SmallBusiness #RestaurantBusiness #DeliveryApps #BusinessBuying #Entrepreneurship
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This week, I’m diving into a big question:
Do delivery apps actually destroy restaurants?
If you’ve ever thought about buying or running a restaurant—or if you already own one—you need to understand how these apps really work.
I’ll also share real examples, research from The Guardian, and lessons from restaurateurs I’ve worked with.
Want to understand cash flow, margins, and business models like a pro?
Check out my Cash Flow Forecasting & Business Plan Program at BizPlanSchool.com
.Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/thouWK5QQpI .
#SmallBusiness #RestaurantBusiness #DeliveryApps #UberEats #SkipTheDishes #DoorDash #BusinessBuying #Entrepreneurship #DavidCBarnett
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YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:40 – The Restaurant Buyer’s Big Assumption
01:30 – Understanding Restaurant Margins
03:00 – How Delivery Apps Make Their Money
04:30 – Why Restaurants Sign Up (and What They Miss)
06:00 – The Old-School Yellow Pages Analogy
07:45 – Where Do the “New Customers” Really Come From?
09:30 – The Shocking Math: 25–40% Commissions
11:00 – The Hidden Costs: Placement, Ads & Fees
12:45 – The Pricing Trap & Menu Margin Squeeze
15:00 – What Happens to Customer Prices
16:30 – Real Data: Guardian & Stanford Studies
18:15 – Who Actually Wins with Delivery Apps?
20:00 – Ghost Kitchens & Smart Operators
21:30 – What Failing Restaurants Miss About Margins
23:00 – How to Use Apps Strategically, Not Destructively
24:30 – Action Plan: What Restaurant Owners Should Do
26:00 – Why “More Sales” Doesn’t Mean “More Profit”
27:30 – Learn More: BizPlanSchool.com
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
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Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Dec 2, 2025 • 52min
PREMIERE Noemi Ceapa- Personal vs Business Branding through the life of a small business
Find Noemi on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemiceapa/
https://theconsultingstudio.vip/
Business or personal brand?
New Interview guest- Noemi Ceapa, brand specialist
I’m happy to have Noemi join me for a one-on-one interview!
She’s a big business expert when it comes to developing and implementing brand messaging and now works with small business owners who are growing from one stage to the next.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing how the brand and messaging may need to change as a business grows from start to growth to maturity.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone wanting to start, grow or buy a business.
It will be going live Monday December 01, 2025 at 1 PM Atlantic Time and 12 Noon Eastern Time
See you there!
David C Barnett
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Nov 26, 2025 • 29min
Why Every Business Owner Needs an Exit Plan (Before It’s Too Late)
2025 Black Friday Specials: https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/black-friday-2025.html
Find Exit Ready anytime at https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
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It’s the first snow of the season, and as I look ahead to the holidays, I want to talk about something that might make a great gift for yourself this year — an exit plan for Christmas.
Most business owners think “exit planning” just means selling their business.
In reality, selling is only one possible outcome.
True exit planning is about understanding your personal finances, your business readiness, and your options — long before you decide to sell.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/ZVgnxgRw-ls
Cheers,
David
#ExitPlanning #SmallBusiness #BusinessSelling #Entrepreneurship #BusinessExit #RetirementPlanning #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #DavidCBarnett #HowToSellMyOwnBusiness
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YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:45 – What “Exit Plan for Christmas” Really Means
01:30 – The Confusion Between Selling and Exit Planning
03:00 – Why Most Owners Avoid Planning (and Pay for It Later)
04:45 – Inside the “Exit Ready” Program
06:00 – The 7 Stages of Exit Planning Explained
08:30 – How to Assess Your Personal and Business Readiness
10:20 – The Tools and AI-Powered Resources Included
13:00 – The Mistake of Waiting Too Long to Prepare
15:20 – Real Examples from Business Owners Who Waited
17:00 – How ALP’s Team Can Help You Get Exit Ready
18:30 – Why Planning Early Gives You Control and Confidence
20:00 – Holiday Offer: Black Friday Bonus and Savings
21:30 – Your Exit Plan Is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Nov 24, 2025 • 51min
LIVE- Grow by Selling to Big Companies with Andrew Hulbert
Grow by selling to big companies
New Livestream guest- Andrew Hulbert
I’m happy to have Andrew join me on a live broadcast.
Andrew grew a startup facilities management company into a £50M sales company and then sold it to Private Equity for Kaboodles of coin.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing how he chose his market and how he was able to grow selling to large companies.
TIP- it had to do with the terms of sale and his cash conversion cycle.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who is thinking of growing a business and hasn’t realized that growth costs money.
Find Andrew online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhulbert/
Sign up for my email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Nov 12, 2025 • 24min
Big Updates: Buyer Insights, Holiday Chats & New Exit Program
This episode dives into the return of Holiday Chat 2025, offering discounted consulting calls and insights on the booking process. Key lessons from past case studies highlight the importance of financial resilience in business. Exciting announcements include the launch of the Exit Ready program for smooth exits and pilot mastermind events in Austin and Vancouver. David also discusses essential buyer insights, like rollover equity and seller financing, to help navigate the complexities of business transactions.

Nov 5, 2025 • 17min
Business Broker Fails: How Bad CIMs Kill Deals
• “Is the Inventory Added or Included in the Price of a Business?” video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6L_dS2gRYs
• LIVE: Neal Isaacs — Seller Journeys with Business Brokers” https://www.youtube.com/live/-7vt5Ef-9i8
***
This week, I’m digging into one of the most common frustrations I hear from business buyers — poorly prepared CIMs and business profiles.
If you’ve ever tried to review a deal only to find missing financials, no balance sheet, or vague “adjusted income” numbers that make no sense… you’ll want to watch this one.
In this video, I break down the top errors business brokers make when preparing CIMs, including:
-Missing balance sheets and working capital details
-No asset list or equipment valuation
-Sloppy or missing normalization adjustments
-And why not accounting for the owner’s time completely skews earnings
Whether you’re a buyer trying to make sense of bad info or a seller who wants to present your business properly, this will help you understand what a real, professional SIM should look like.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/bKu7n20H750
#BusinessBroker #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #BusinessProfile #SIM #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #DavidCBarnett
***
YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – What a SIM (Confidential Information Memorandum) Should Be
04:15 – Mistake #1: No Balance Sheet or Working Capital Info
08:30 – Mistake #2: Missing Asset List or Equipment Values
12:40 – Mistake #3: Poor or Missing Normalization Adjustments
18:00 – Mistake #4: No Account of the Owner’s Time or Role
22:20 – Why These Gaps Waste Everyone’s Time
25:15 – How Proper CIMs Help Sellers and Buyers
28:00 – Why My Team Builds Complete Business Profiles for Clients
30:45 – Final Thoughts & How to Prepare the Right Way
#BusinessBroker #BusinessProfile #SIM #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #BusinessValuation #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessDeals #SMB #DavidCBarnett
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Oct 30, 2025 • 46min
Don't Buy Business Notes with David Barnett
David C. Barnett, a small-business deal expert and author, sheds light on the pitfalls of investing in business notes. He highlights the risks of reliance on cash flow and goodwill rather than tangible property. Topics include the complexities of lien priority, non-compete enforceability, and the importance of thorough due diligence. Barnett also warns about misleading financial statements and the necessity of industry knowledge to mitigate fraud. Plus, he shares insights on networking for private deals and the dangers of the secondary market.

Oct 29, 2025 • 21min
Before You Hire a Business Broker—Watch This!
Explore the intriguing dynamics between business brokers and owners as the host tackles viewer questions. Discover how brokers get paid and why their motives matter to sellers. Learn to differentiate between seasoned professionals and amateurs in the brokerage world. Uncover the pitfalls of relying solely on flashy branding and how to assess a broker's true value. Valuable insights will empower you to navigate the brokerage landscape and protect your interests, whether you're buying or selling a business.

Oct 27, 2025 • 54min
Get the most from the online review game with minimal effort
New Livestream guest- George Swetlitz from Right Response AI
I’m happy to have George join me on a live broadcast.
George understands the world of online advertising and has lead real world business rollups that depended on local advertising.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing online reviews and how it is crucial in getting customers from platforms such as Google Maps.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who does business with customers.
Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available.
Find George online at http://rightresponseai.com/podcasts/barnett
Holiday Chat 2025 slots are now open https://calendly.com/dbarnett/2025-holiday-chatsecretcode
January 2026- I'm coming to Vancouver, BC and Austin, TX. Join me for a Business Buyer Boardroom mastermind session. https://www.BusinessBuyerBoardroom.com
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com

Oct 22, 2025 • 26min
Top 5 Biggest Mistakes when trying to sell a business
***New Video Alert!
Thinking about selling your small business now or maybe a few years down the road?
In this week’s video, I’m breaking down the top five mistakes that quietly destroy business sales before they ever reach the finish line.
We’ll talk about why sloppy books kill credibility with buyers and banks, how a “you-dependent” business scares off deals, and why waiting too long to prepare might mean missing your best shot at selling.
Whether you’re planning to sell soon or someday, this one will help you see your business through a buyer’s eyes and avoid the traps that make good companies unsellable.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/V-63WwII-TI
Talk soon,
David C. Barnett
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com


